| Download a sample from "The Infoshop", another service of Global Information.
|
SUMMARY
Written by leading public access WLAN expert, Zaga Novakovic, Public Access WLAN Usability 2004 represents ground breaking research from Mind Commerce. This report is the only research of its type to evaluate the "usability" of public access WLAN or WiFi hotspot provider service offerings. The research focuses primarily on the following usability criteria: - Access
- User Friendliness
- Ease of log-on
- Security
- Speed (relative to number of users/load)
- Price
- Customer service
The study evaluates each of the hotspot provider service offerings on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high) for each attribute, provides an overall quantitative "grade" for each service, supporting discussion and comments, as well as appropriate praise and constructive criticism. The report also compares and contrasts the findings for each public access WLAN service provider studied including leading hotspot providers T-Mobile, Wayport, Boingo, Hotspotzz, Surf and Sip, Cafe.com, STSN, iPass, and even an illustrative "free" service provider, Panera Bread. The study also includes an evaluation of the hotspot usage patterns by travelers within the United States as well as a summary grading and comparing each hotspot provider to one another. This report compares the "usability" of various hotspot providers' service offerings. What we found will surprise you!! As with her breakthrough research, Public Access WLAN Case Studies 2004, Zaga uses a combination of primary research, observation, qualitative analysis, and expert evaluation to support her very valuable and insightful evaluation and recommendations. Zaga conducted the primary research component of this study by personally visiting the hotspot venues, using the service herself, as well as conducting on-site interviews with other hotspot customers. While the two reports are an excellent complement to one another, the usability report will be of particular interest to the following groups: - Hotspot service providers, equipment, software and support suppliers
- Venue and hotspot hosts such as coffee shops, hotels, etc.
- Companies making decisions about how to support their mobile work force
- Investors in the hotspot equipment, software, and services industry
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY COMPARING ACCESS - User-friendliness
- Ease of Log-on
- Security
- Speed/number of users
- Price
CUSTOMER SERVICE - T-Mobile
- T-Mobile Hotspots
- T-Mobile Subscription/Access Options
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Seating/environment
- Price
- Customer Service
- Branding
- Prediction
WAYPORT - Wayport Hotspots
- Wayport Subscription/Access Options
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Seating/Environment
- Price
- Customer Service
- Branding
- Prediction
BOINGO - Boingo Hotspots
- Boingo Subscription/Access Options
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Number of Users
- Seating/Environment
- Price
- Customer Service
- Branding/Marketing
- Prediction
HOTSPOTZZ (FORMERLY WIFI METRO) - Hotspotzz Hotspots
- Hotspotzz Subscription/Access Options
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Number of Users
- Price
- Branding
- Customer Service
- Prediction
SURF AND SIP - Surf and Sip Hotspots
- Surf and Sip Subscription/Access Options
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Number of Users
- Environment/Seating
- Price
- Branding
- Customer Service
- Prediction
FATPORT - FatPort Hotspots
- FatPort Subscription/Access Options
CAFE.COM - Cafe.com Hotspots
- Cafe.com Subscription/Access Options
PANERA BREAD COMPANY - Panera Hotspots
- Panera Subscription/Access Options
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Number of Users
- Seating/environment
- Price
- Branding
- Prediction
STSN - STSN Hotspots
- STSN Subscription/Access Options
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Number of Users
- Seating/Environment
- Price
- Customer Service
- Prediction
IPASS - iPass Hotspots
- Ease of Log-In
- User-Friendliness
- Security
- Speed
- Number of Users
- Seating/environment
- Customer Service
- Branding
- Prediction
HOT SPOT USAGE PATTERNS IN THE UNITED STATES - Travelers
- Business Travel Patterns in the United States
- Where Do They Travel?
- Summary
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
|
